Team Oyo delivered a stellar performance on the penultimate day of the 22nd National Sports Festival, adding a slew of medals to their impressive tally. The state’s athletes showcased their prowess across multiple disciplines, securing a total of 119 medals: 36 gold, 36 silver, and 47 bronze.
Standout performances included Toma Japo’s gold in the men’s pole vault and Salami Akeem’s gold in para-athletics men’s F40/41 discus. The deaf table tennis duo of Lawal Sodiq and Amole Adegoke Sulaimon also clinched gold in the men’s doubles. Silver medals were claimed by Ige Ridwan (boxing, men’s bantamweight), Ayemoba Grace (women’s 100m hurdles), Ayobami Oluwatimilehin (men’s 800m), Mulero Adeyinka (women’s 800m), and Akintewe Stephen (wrestling, men’s 65kg freestyle). Bronze medals were secured by Muili Toheeb Olawale (kickboxing, men’s 54kg), Opatola Ibraheem (boxing, men’s 48kg), Lawal Sodiq and Sulaimon Saidat Alaba (deaf table tennis, mixed doubles), and Saliu Rasheed (wrestling, men’s 74kg freestyle).
Team Oyo’s remarkable achievements has been attributed to their preparation and athlete incentives hence solidifying their position as a powerhouse in Nigerian sports.